A Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has granted bail to Chioma Okoli, a woman facing trial for giving a negative review on a tomato paste manufactured by Erisco Foods.
On September 17, 2023, Okoli made a post on Facebook, stating that she tasted Nagiko Tomato Mix — one of the tomato paste variants of Erisco Foods and found it sugary.
Reacting in a statement, Erisco Foods Limited described the claim as untrue and unfounded.
Okoli was later arrested by the police following a petition by Eric Umeofia, president and CEO of the company. Both parties have been in court since.
Peter Lifu, the trial judge, admitted Okoli to a bail in the sum of N5million and two sureties in like sum, one of whom is her husband, and fixed June 13 for her trial.
Okoli was arraigned on May 28, on two counts of alleged conspiracy and cyberstalking levelled against her by the Inspector General of Police. Umeofia had alleged in a suit he filed in 2023, that the negative product review done by the accused negatively impacted his business.
Following her arraignment, during which she denied any wrongdoing, Okoli was remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre till Friday (May 31).
Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who is the counsel to Okoli, has hailed the decision of the judge to grant his client bail on “liberal terms.” He stated that efforts are on to perfect the bail conditions to ensure she returns home to her family.
Effiong had In a post on X, revealed that his client suffered a miscarriage, adding that he made the disclosure to the court during proceedings.
“Prior to yesterday, we decided to keep this information private and to only disclose it in the court,” the post reads.
“I am only stating this here due to the fact that the Court is already aware of it and many people are asking for confirmation.
